Upstate NY girl wins $10,000 on Food Network's 'Chopped Junior'

A 12-year-old girl from Upstate New York chopped away the competition on a Food Network show, winning $10,000.

Cassidy Tryon of Horseheads appeared on an episode of "Chopped Junior" that aired Tuesday night. Tryon's episode was filmed in February, the Star-Gazette reports. Family and friends gathered at Wegmans in Corning to watch the episode, 18 News reports.

Similar to adult version "Chopped," four young contestants are given a basket of mystery ingredients and must turn them into meals in 30 minutes. There are three rounds--appetizers, entrees and desserts--with one contestant eliminated after each round.

During the entree round, Tryon made pan-seared pork with vegetable fries and mango pico de gallo. Judge Marcus Samuelsson said Tryon was "killing it," according to the Star-Gazette.

With the $10,000 in prize money, Tryon told 18 News that she wants to save some money for college and make a donation to a local food bank right Downtown Elmira.

Tryon and her family had to keep the results of the episode secret for months. "It feels great to tell everyone now," she told 18 News.